Supply Chain & Merchandising

New York City -- Aeropostale reported Wednesday that net income for its second quarter plummeted 93% to $2.94 million, from $43.6 million in the year-ago period.

Sales declined 5% to $468.2 million and same-store sales dropped 14%.

The company revised its third quarter forecast downward.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Thursday officially unveiled its new store brand, Nice!

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. reported that net sales for the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, which ended July 30, increased 2% to $3.39 billion compared with $3.32 billion for the second quarter last year. The company’s second quarter comparable sales, which include associated comparable online sales, were down 2% compared with a 1% increase in the second quarter last year. For the second quarter of fiscal year 2011, online sales positively impacted comparable sales for Gap Inc. by 2 percentage points.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores announced Thursday that it would convert all of its SaveRite-branded grocery stores to Winn-Dixie brands, discontinuing the SaveRite banner permanently.

“By aligning all 484 stores under one Winn-Dixie banner, we will be able to ensure a more consistent shopping experience for all of our guests – regardless of the type of neighborhood in which we operate,” said Peter Lynch, Winn-Dixie’s chairman, CEO, and president.

Indianapolis -- Electronics and appliances retailer Hhgregg said Friday it will open 14 new stores in the Chicago area on Sept. 15.

Chicago is a new market for Hhgregg, and with the opening of 14 new stores, it will become the company’s largest market.
 

GRAPEVINE, Texas — GameStop reported a same-store sales decline of 9.1% for the second quarter on slow hardware sales and a lighter software slate than the prior year quarter. Despite the poor performance in new hardware and software, the company said pre-owned sales were strong for the quarter.

Total sales for the second quarter of 2011 were $1.74 billion, a decrease of 3.1% compared to $1.80 billion in the prior year quarter. 

The trend of fewer people shopping Walmart stores less often has hurt the company’s efforts to revitalize U.S. sales growth, and now it the appears trip consolidation trend is playing out internationally as well.

San Francisco -- Gap reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended July 30 dropped 19% to $189 million, compared with $234 million in the year-ago period.

The retailer, which operates the Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic banners, cited aggressive merchandise pricing reductions for the profit decline. Results beat analysts’ earnings expectations, but the declines still raised concerns about Gap’s performance in the upcoming fall and holiday shopping seasons.